The purpose of this blog is to share thoughts, comments and issues, as well as hints and suggestions that may help extend your own knowledge of family. As an advocate of DNA testing to support traditional genealogy, my focus is on DNA and newsworthy topics. Do not expect daily publication.
My own genealogy (nonliving persons only) is at www.doriswheeler.org and at http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=dorisw&id=I1128..

Friday, April 21, 2017

Are you, like me, frustrated by the lack of DNA matches to distant German relatives? Modern-day Germany has not welcomed DNA testing for genealogy, but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

A newcomer in the field is teaming up with another company to focus on DNA testing in Germany in order to build a database for matching. They have completed a similar project in the British Isles and provide location-specific results for that area. They are seeking out testers whose four grandparents lived nearby each other in Germany and offer a discounted price to those who qualify. My hope is that their German project will bring more light to what can only be called the secret world of genetic genealogy in Germany.

If you want to encourage this effort, you may want to order a DNA test from Living DNA. They have a sale on right now. Their matching service is not available yet but they promise it soon will be. Meanwhile, let's get those Germans testing so we can make progress with our genealogy searches.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

To mark National DNA Day, Family Tree DNA traditionally holds a sale, this year from April 20 through April 27 at 11:59 pm Central Time. (National DNA Day celebrates on April 25 the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953.)

Notice that you may only upgrade existing kits to the Big Y, SNP Backbone and SNP Packs. Other product sale prices are for new customers only.

Please note that all Items must be paid for by that time, including items ordered though the invoice system (Bill Me Later). Here are the items that are on sale. Especially note the Family Finder test for a mere $59 (55 euro, £46), the Y-DNA-37 test for $129 (121 euro, £101), and the SNP Packs for an unbelievably low price of $89 (83 euro, £70).

If you want to dip your toe in the genepool, now is the time - do the Family Finder test. It will give you your ethnic makeup estimates and connect you with cousins on all of your ancestral lines.

If you have thought about researching your surname, or buying a Y-DNA test for a relative, now is the time! Consider the Big Y at a greatly reduced price or,if you have been advised to upgrade to a SNP Pack, they have never been cheaper.

To learn if you might benefit from a SNP Pack, log into your MyFTDNA page and scroll down to the Y-DNA section. If you see a box similar to this just below it, then you are eligible: